12 Souped-Up Charging Cables for When Your iPhone Is Hanging by a Thread

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Hey, it’s me, your iPhone. I am once again asking you to please get a new charger cable. I know you’ve probably lost many and had to buy replacements countless times, but they’re the one thing keeping me alive every day. And please get a good one that fits well, won’t fray, and has good charging chemistry with me. I’m an iPhone, for crying out loud.

Apple users often have an unhealthy obsession with Apple’s own charging cables. Detractors see this as a cult behavior that borders on elitism (well…do they lie?), but the truth is: Apple did invent Lightning cables in 2012 and has dominated the field ever since. While it stopped giving out free charger adapters (why, oh why?), it is still generous enough to include a Lightning cable with every iPhone purchase. Does that mean the Apple-made nexus of power is the best for charging iPhones? Not necessarily. It’s not 2012, the end of the world is far behind us, and quite a few third-party cables have gotten ahead of the OG in terms of style, power, durability, and even versatility.

For your convenience, we’ve selected the 12 best iPhone charger cables. Give them a try to replace your old charging cable that came with the iPhone box—or at least to witness how third-party charging cables can surpass the master.

USB C to Lightning Cable

You’re probably thinking of buying a cable that is not too expensive, charges fast, is immune to damage, will not slip from its plug, and also looks good enough to go on your nightstand. Anker’s Lightning cable is the one. It won't drastically improve your lifestyle or routine, but hey, if your life is already in a good place, why suddenly change it up? Plus, this cable does come with a six-foot option for you to be just far away enough from the outlet while still using your iPhone.

Coiled Lightning Cable

Sometimes long cables are a mess but you still want something that reaches as far as you need, lest you have to do anything slightly inconvenient. Use this one in the car, for when you're playing both co-pilot and DJ.

360 Magnetic Charging Cable

This magnetic charging cable is clutch for always having the right connection on hand. It comes with three connectors to charge your phone and whatever else you've got. The connectors can be swapped out as you need and they stay on the cable with a strong magnetic pull.

10-ft iPhone Charger Lightning Cable 10ft

Shop USB-C version

If you have to ask, “Why on earth do I need a 10-foot charging cable,” you obviously haven’t treated yourself enough—or at all—to the comfort of lying in bed and scrolling through TikTok on your iPhone that is connected to an outlet on the other end of the room. Having a long-ass charging cable will give you a fully powered iPhone at all times for some unhealthy amount of screentime. And no more sitting on the kitchen countertop to charge while using your device, or running back and forth between rooms to get rid of that annoying 20 percent battery warning.

Lighting to USB iPhone Charger (Pack of 6)

A pack of six charging cables that ticks all the boxes—durable, fast speed, long lifespan, bend-proof, MFi-Certified, and affordable—is like a buffet for a family of exclusively iPhone users. In this pack, the speeds for charging and data transferring are respectively 2.4 amps and 480 Mbps, as expected in any quick-charge wires. The varying lengths—three, six, and 10 feet—are great for family usage at home across rooms.

Lightning USB-C Kevlar Cable

If you don’t mind spending four digits on an iPhone, why not get a premium charging cable to go with it? Especially one that will not fray, break, or loosen in grip. In an apocalyptic world, Nomad’s USB-C to Lightning cable will out-live all other cables thanks to its metal alloy. With a max velocity that can push the battery from zero to half-full in just 30 minutes, it results in one of the fastest times for portable charging or charging via a USB-C adapter. Get this and bring it to work; your colleagues will all be asking to borrow it on a daily basis.

Lightning to USB Cable

Shop USB-C Version

The OG charging cable from Apple is likely what most iPhone users want to add to the cart. We don’t judge you for staying with the Apple name. Not only does its charging cable promise full-on compatibility, it is also just so simple and intuitive. Although it is no-frills, no-style, and no-excitement, we all know how reliable it is, since it is often the first charging cable we use with iPhones. If you often charge via connecting to MacBook or USB-C ports, check out the Apple Lightning to USB-C Cable.

Nylon USB-A to Lightning Cable

Shop USB-C version

If you only have one iPhone and just need to replace your old charging cable whose fit is pretty much loose as a goose, then consider an affordable option that might look plain, but still can complete charging and data transfer duties with great effectiveness. From an optimal 2.4 amps charging speed and up to 480 Mbps data transfer speed, this cable is one you’d pick if you’re not too picky. It’s really not something you need to contemplate too much.

BoostCharge Smart LED USB-C to Lightning Cable

Shop USB-A Version

Here’s a USB-C to Lightning charging cable for people who’ve already moved onto USB-C adapters. Good for you on keeping up with the changing world of tech. In addition to looking sleek in long-lasting aluminum, Belkin’s charging cable actually has a smart perk: an LED light that shows the charge status. In red, it will indicate the phone is connected and being powered up; in green, it means you can now separate them to use your fully charged device. Knowing with just one glance is an upgrade some of you really, really busy (or lazy) people might need.

Belt Cable

Shop USB-C Version

Whoever says you can’t charge in style must really lack imagination. For an iPhone as sleek as the one you own, it’s only suitable to power it up with a stylish cable—this one by Native Union, for example. With a galaxy-inspired colorway, high charging and transfer speeds, and upgraded durability to withstand all sorts of twists, this cable adds some aesthetic to your efficient charging time. It even comes with a strap belt so you can wrap it up and leave no messy entanglement behind. Available in multiple colors as well as a USB-C version.

Half-Foot Short Lightning to USB Cable

Shop USB-C version

Don’t you just hate the hassle of having to untangle a cable before using a portable charger? Not only do you waste valuable time, doing that in public can look quite embarrassing. Hence, we recommend this pack of six-inch Lightning cables for hooking up iPhones with portable power banks, charging stations, or laptops.

Powerline II 3-in-1 Charging Cable

This universal charger is designed for both Apple and Android devices, as well as electronics compatible with micro USB, like speakers, GPS trackers, and cameras. It’s the Russian nesting doll of charging wires: While it doesn’t really have that “reveal” element, you can stack the three connectors—USB-C, micro USB, and Lightning—on top of each other. If you are an equal opportunity lover of both Android and Apple, this cable is made for you.

What to look for in an iPhone charging cable

• Connection Type: There are two types of Lightning cables. First, the Lightning to USB-A cable we’ve all grown used to since it's the OG as well as the most common, along with USB-A power adapters. Second, the Lightning to USB-C cable that Apple sort of coerced us into by giving out USB-C adapters instead and only putting USB-C ports on MacBooks. Crafty. But, as USB-C starts to hold sway over the world of tech accessories, we'll see if it can successfully usurp USB-A; some might say it already has.

• MFI certification: Be it A, B, or C, something to bear in mind about iPhone charger cables is that you should only get those that are MFI-certified, meaning they’re equipped with Apple’s chip to recognize, connect with, and transfer data to or from iOS devices smoothly and safely.

• Speed: The cables we've picked above pretty much all provide 2.4 amps for charging and 480 Mbps for data transfer—both amongst the fastest speeds available.
  

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